We begin our survey of ten selected Hyperion reissues for the 20th
anniversary with this splendidly mercurial and invigorating offering. Paul
O'Dette's virtuosity is immediately apparent in these spaciously conceived
interpretations of some of Vivaldi's best known and much loved works. The
Concerto in G Major that prefaces the disc is given a splendid rhythmic 'kick'
with O Dette a persuasive advocate of the difficult mandolin part. Robin
Jeffrey's also joins in here and is a sympathetic partner in this virtuosic
display. Concertos in C and D are the mainstay of the CD which also has some
exquisite chamber arrangementsd in the form of two Trios for chamber instruments.
The splendid recording has been vividly remastered for this occasion thus
refreshing an already excellent disc. Vivaldi connoisseurs should not hesitate
in snapping up this Limited Edition version that comes in an attractive cardboard
sleeve.

The wonderfully melodious strains of the Celtic Symphony demonstrate Bantock's
compositional prowess at its very best and this has been brilliantly exploited
by Hyperion. When this disc first came out, about ten years ago, I was still
in my infant collector stage but remember being absolutely bowled over by
the stupendous sound and magnificent music that was all a 17 year old hopeful
could have ever imagined! Listening afreshto Handley's 'Hebridean', was a
nostalgic experience, since these days there is not much time to dwell over
particular works with the constant flood of discs coming our way. It is also
magnificent to listen to such wonderful imagination as in 'The Witch of Atlas'
which is brimful of mastery and translucent orchestral virtuosity. The disc
has stood the test of time with flying colours and with two more Bantock
releases under their belt, Hyperion have proved to be the label who has
definitely resurrected this composer. No remastering here but there is no
need, the sound really does bowl one over!

G.F. HANDEL: The Four Coronation Anthems, Musick for the Royal
Fireworks. The Choir of New College, Oxford, The King's Consort Edward
Higginbottom/Robert King CDA20350
57mCrotchetMidprice

What a pompous and celebratory disc this is! Now newly remastered, the sound
has come up even cleaner and clearer than before and that continues to add
to the enjoyment of a disc that was always one of the stalwarts of the Hyperion
catalogue. Robert King's mercurial direction in the Coronation Anthems is
fantastically assured and he manages to bring out the thrill and nobility
of 'Zadok the Priest' like no other. Still, the real joy of this disc has
always been the authentic 1749 scoring of the 'Fireworks' music. The zest
and vigour of the music is marvelously captured but I still cannot displace
Fritz Lehmann's irresistible BPO recording from 1951 with the BPO. However
newcomers should be urged to acquire this disc immediately especially since
it is now available at mid price, a 'snip', if there ever was one!

This is definitely one of the highlights from the twenty releases. Hyperion's
unshirking commitment to the English choral genre has been a sound and almost
ever present feature in their catalogue and this release sums it all up.
Four of RVW's finest works are included here and all are in splendid
interpretations. Noboku Imai's playing in 'Flos Campi' is wonderful, to my
mind he even eclipses Frederick Riddle's classic account now available on
Chandos Collect. The decision to use the 16 soloist setup in Serenade to
Music is also laudable, expression of clarity and romantic imagery are greatly
enhanced with this choice of singers. I also enjoyed Thomas Allen's brooding
'Five Mystical Songs', interpretations that really do plumb the emotional
depths of this work which is one of the finest group of songs that RVW ever
wrote. Framing all this richness is the Fantasia on Christmas Carols, a work
full of uninhibited zest and vitality. Best and his choral and orchestral
forces are indeed to be praised for their sterling efforts and the disc
comfortably rises to the top of my Hyperion shopping list!